Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-29

to prominent Democrats, asking their
presence and cooperation, Mr.. Gibbs
and his co-workers declared the purpose
of the meeting to be to set forth:
First-The time-honored and cardinal
principles of the Democratic party from
Jefferson, It's founder, down to the pres
ent time, viz: Opposition to all forms Of
sumptusry legislation.
This will be the first question to be dis
posed of, and on which the True Blues
are apt to split. One thing quite certain,
and they are well aware of that: do away
with that democratic falacy and they are
left without leg to stand upon, and
their organization will dissolve itself
into an association of dealers in liquors
and their personal and business friends.
| On the other hand, if they declare in
their platform boldly and clearly that OPP
position to the sale of intoxicating
liquors is sumptuarv legislation, and that
such sumptuary ~ legislation is con-
trary to the principles of Democracy as
enunciated by Thomas Jefferson-ln
other words, if they declare as did the
call for the meeting, that the sale of
whisky is Democracy, and prohibition
is the ranBest enemy of Democracy
known to them-then will they split
the Democratic party of Texas; then will
they kick themselves out of the party; for
though they are powerful directors, and
though their pleasure would be to kick
out their opponents, they are hardly
strong enough to kick out the great body
of Democrats who are sustained IN their
position of 8 nOn-partisan campaign by
the entire state party organization, by the
machinery Of the Democratic state
administration, and such able and
trusted leaders and eminent Democratic
authority as Ross, Ireland, MaXey, Res
gan, CulbersOn, Lanham, Miller, Bonner,
HerndOn and others on the prohibition
side, and even Coke, Grain, Stewart and
others of those who are disposed to
regard prohibition as inexpedient This
Will be Leading question at this So
called Democratic convention; and an
other question which will probably be
raised is whether the Republican dele
gates appointed from Denton and
other counties will be admitted to
seats in this True Blue Democratic state
convention. OF course, the public will
watch with interest the discussion there
and settlement of these questions.
And yet the main question at issue in
this state campaign is: Is the liquor
traffic right or wrong-d0es the sale of
whisky produce good or evil, JOY or sor-
row, restitution or prosperity? Could
the SIS, 1000, 900 expended for Intoxicating
liquors in Texas for drunkenness, ruin,
misery and crime, be more advantage
ousIy expended for food and clothing, com
forts and Injuries, and education? Could
the 81 900, 900 q year passed over the
counters of the 100 saloons in Dallas
county be expended for no better purpose?
Would not the abolition of the whisky
traffic make our people happier, healthier,
more prosperous, and benefit every class
except the man who sells 1t to profit Oh
the ruin of his customer? This is the
questionable main issue-and cannot be
sidetracked by any state convention, true
blue or red.
The San Antonio Times says the papers
of the state are very much mixed on the
prohibition question. We don't think so.
They are nearly all on one size, the
wrong one we think, the prohibition side.
i Waco Examiner.
*
It is said there is & private examination
or analysis of the Trinity river water now
going on. Just who is making this araly-
sis is not known. There has been one
made by chemist of national reputation,
and the hydraulic engineers who were
employed to look into the water supply
question have made another. Both
agreed that the Trinity water was not
good. II there are doubts in regard to
the correctness of their opinions let fur
the examinations be made, but let them be
made by men skilled in the business. Dallas
has great confidence in her aldermen, but
Dallas would hardly conclude to spend
hundred thousand dollars on their opin-
ions as to the kind of animalcules in
water. 1t is willing to spend the money
but 1t will do it with judgment. Some of
the aldermen seem to think that the Trim
ity river water is pure as long as there is
not water mOccasin in every pint of it.
In fact, they think it pure as long as it is
not cooked up with dead dogs and horses
and other things from the Fort WORTH.
dumping grounds Dallas Times. y